We hope to target 12 of the 30 children to be enrolled for this study to participate in a pharmacokinetic arm of the study. These 12 children would be receiving overnight sleep studies prior to receiving the first dose of melatonin and again at about every 3 week intervals each time the dose increases until the child is falling asleep within 30 minutes of bedtime on 5/7 nights per week. During the sleep studies an intravenous catheter will be placed in the child's arm to sample small amounts of blood throughout the day (about 3 teaspoons of blood)to allow us to look at how melatonin is produced in children with autism who have sleep problems.

Drug: supplemental liquid melatonin

Liquid melatonin will be given to the parent. There are 4 dose levels (1mg, 3mg, 6 mg, and 9mg)of melatonin that will be used at 3 week intervals. The child will start with 1mg and the dose will be increased at 3 week intervals until the child is falling asleep within 30 minutes of bedtime on 5/7 nights per week. Once this goal is reached the child will stay on that dose through the remainder of the study.

Other Name: Natrol brand liquid melatonin

Placebo Comparator: flavored inert liquid

Of the 30 targeted participants, 18 will be randomized at the first three week dosing period {1mg of melatonin}. The randomization will be single blind to the parent in a 5:1 ratio (15 children will receive melatonin, and 3 children will receive a flavored placebo at the first 3-week period only). After the initial 3-week dose cycle of 1 mg, all children randomized to placebo will begin 3 mg of melatonin and will continue in dose increase (6mg, 9 mg)until they meet the criteria of falling asleep within 30 minutes of bedtime 5/7 nights per week. No child will take more than 9 mg.

Drug: flavored liquid or liquid supplemental melatonin

Single blind for parents at initial 3-weeks dose period of 1 mg melatonin for 18 children where 3/18 children will receive placebo and 15/18 children will receive melatonin study drug. Each bottle will be labeled as: Flavored liquid placebo/or liquid melatonin. After this initial 3-week period all children will receive known melatonin in bottles that state this.

Other Name: Inert flavored liquid manufactored by PharmaCare in Mt. Juliet TN. A certificate of analysis is on file for this compounded liquid.

Detailed Description:

Sleep difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common reasons why parents seek medical intervention for their children. Identifying a safe and effective pharmacologic agent that promotes sleep in ASD would favorably impact the lives of these children and their families. In this study we plan to determine the dose-response, tolerability and any adverse effects of supplemental melatonin in 30 children with ASD.The melatonin dose levels are 1mg, 3mg, 6mg, and 9mg. After a 3 week baseline period, the child will begin melatonin at 1mg and will dose escalate every three weeks until he/she is falling asleep within 30 minutes of bedtime at least 5/7 nights per week. No child will take more than 9 mg of supplemental melatonin.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

4 Years to 10 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Children with autism ages 4-10 years.

Diagnosis of autism based on Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

Time to fall asleep of 30 minutes or longer by parent report at least 3 nights/week in the last 3 months.

Children may take seasonal allergy medications.

Children may take the following medications for the same dose at least 3 months: Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall), Atomoxetine (Strattera), Methylphenidate(Ritalin), Dextroamphetamine(Dexedrine), Risperidone (Risperdal.

Exclusion Criteria:

Children taking medications other than those in the inclusion criteria.

Children with primary sleep disorder other than insomnia (such as sleep-disordered breathing).

Children with non-febrile unprovoked epileptic seizure within the last two years.

Children with liver disease or high fat diets, as melatonin metabolism may be affected in these children.

Children who are visually impaired (partially or completely blind) as light suppresses melatonin synthesis and these children may have altered diurnal melatonin rhythms.

Children with known genetic syndromes co-morbid with autism including fragile X, Down syndrome, neurofibromatosis, or tuberous sclerosis.

Children who have outside normal limits on blood work for complete blood count, liver and renal function and hormone levels of ACTH, cortisol, LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone and estradiol.

Tanner staging beyond level 1 at any time point in the study.

Children whose assessment score does not place them on the autism spectrum.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00927030